Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters.

A/N: Again, thank you for the reviews! This chapter takes place right after chapter two and is when everything starts getting a move on. Oh, yeah, Cid finally makes his appearance too. Kind of late but, at least he's in it! To be honest, he and Tifa weren't supposed to show up at all, but things happen.

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03. I Wanted You To Know

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As Leon and Aerith chatted in Merlin's house, they did not notice how dark the sky had grown. Drops of rain began pouring from the dark clouds and the town citizens quickly ran to their homes to take shelter from the rain. Although it was but a light sprinkle it will eventually pour, and so the streets of Hollow Bastion eventually grew empty and only the pounding of the raindrops could be heard. Usually, one would be in a state of depression during a gloomy day like this, but it wasn't like that here in Hollow Bastion. Everyone always found their own ways of entertaining themselves at home, whether it's alone or with another. Leon, at the moment, was actually quite enjoying himself just by being in Aerith's presence.

"It's starting to come down quite fast." Aerith said when she took a look out the window. "I wonder if everyone's alright?"

"I'm sure they're fine." Leon assured. Aerith retreated from the window and walked to his side. Suddenly, she stopped and she looked a bit horrified. She opened her mouth as if to say something but didn't.

"Um, what's wrong?" Leon asked, wondering if she had seen a ghost behind him.

"I forgot that I had some errands to do!" Aerith put her hands to her mouth, and looked as if she was scolding herself. "Oh no… and it's already raining so hard…"

Leon thought for a moment, looking at the green-eyed damsel in distress. The rain pouring outside wasn't very inviting, but for her… it was worth it. When he got her attention, he said with a smile, "Why don't I go with you and help get your errands done today?"

"Oh, no! I couldn't possibly impose on you like this!" Aerith turned pink, looking flustered but happy. "Besides, I can always get it done tomorrow." However, Leon raised an eyebrow. "And do the errands yourself? Hmm…"

"No, no, I don't mean it like that! It's just…" Aerith moved her bangs from her flushed face and continued, "I don't want you walking in the rain and getting wet on my account."

"You don't have to worry about that." Leon said, a smile spreading across his face. "I don't think I'd mind much if it's with you." Aerith blushed a little, but nodded and smiled. Once they were outside, Leon felt as if her smile made the gloomy sky seem a little brighter. Quickly walking through the wet streets, they went from store to store buying various items including food and even ingredients. Although they were both quite drenched, neither minded nor complained about it once. The only thing they were worried about was that the things they bought might've gotten wet. When Aerith was sure that they had everything she needed, they decided to return to their homes and change out of their wet clothes then meet up later.

"We'll both catch a cold if we stay dressed like this!" Aerith had said. After taking a hot shower and dressing himself in warm clothes, Leon looked out the window. From where he stood, he could see Aerith's house a little ways from his. He wondered if he should go there, but felt it would be a bit scandalous if he did. However, his feelings, or rather his thinking, got the better of him and he found himself standing in front of her doorway. Although it was still raining, it was now only sprinkling so Leon didn't have to worry about getting wet and having to change… again. After knocking and waiting a couple seconds, Aerith opened the door.

"Couldn't wait until later, I see?" giggled Aerith. "Come in." without a moment's thought she had just invited him into her home. Leon walked into Aerith's living room and looked around. This was one of the few time's he's ever set foot inside. And comparing how the inside looked like from the last time he saw it, Aerith had redecorated it quite nicely with small charms and trinkets, giving it a hint of her own femininity. The furnishing also matched the colors quite well.

"Have a seat." Aerith said. "I'll go get something to drink, what would you like?"

"The usual." Replied Leon. He knew that she would know what he was talking about.

Aerith laughed. "Okay." She walked into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with two cups in her hand. Apparently, they were lemonade. Aerith handed Leon a drink and began quietly sipping from her own as Leon did the same from across her.

'Too much salt… like always.' Leon thought, laughing to himself. Even her mistakes were what attracted her to him. When Aerith saw Leon give away a smile, she cocked her head to the side and asked, "What is it?"

Leon shook his head, unable to answer and just said, "It's nothing." But his smile betrayed what he was really thinking. Curious, Aerith persisted. "Tell me."

Although he felt like telling her, something else told him not to. If he did, she'd just apologize and make another drink- except she usually didn't put in enough salt. As Leon stared at the liquid swirling around in his cup, he could sense Aerith waiting for him to answer. He wondered what to say. Searching through the memories of his mind, he found one memory that always brought a smile to his face. Carefully choosing his words, he said softly, "I just remembered… the day we met."

A gentle smile escaped from Aerith's lips, and she nodded her head. "Yes, I remember too. It was so long ago." She held the straw in her cup with two fingers and swirled the liquid around in small circles. "We were so young then, especially Yuffie." She giggled. "But Yuffie's grown so much, I can't help but feel a small pain in me seeing her now."

Motherly love. That was what Aerith always gave to everyone whether they were older or younger than her. When they were young, Yuffie often hurt herself and cried. Cloud and Leon being the guys they were usually never knew what to do about it. However, Aerith was always there to lend a helping hand. And of course, Tifa always encouraged everyone even though she may have felt a bit depressed at times. Leon admired them all… and he wondered if he had any latent abilities that could be admirable.

"I remember when I first met you." Aerith looked at Leon. "You were like a healthy young boy, ready for anything. I always admired that about you."

It was the first time Leon's ever heard of her speak of him so highly. He felt his face warm up and hoped that his embarrassment wasn't obvious. Turning his gaze away from her, he said a little bit too quietly, "I remember I had quite the first impression when I met you…"

Aerith leaned a bit closer towards Leon. All that separated them was the table in the middle. "What was that? I didn't catch it." She said. Leon didn't know if he wanted to repeat himself or not, but repeated differently, "…You left quite an impression on me." He sensed her beaming, and heard her say, "Is that right? I'm happy." Although she didn't ask, he continued, "You were so beautiful, and so full of life." He looked at her. "And that's the same, even now."

"Thank you." Aerith said, blushing a little. "But I'm not that wonderful."

Leon's blue eyes looked over the girl's petite form and said, "That's not what I think." At his generous words, Aerith could no longer look at the blue-eyed warrior anymore. Her cheeks burned pink and her voice failed to speak. However, she did not look troubled or upset that he was complimenting her, but pleased and happy. It seems that Leon doesn't speak of her in that way much, or probably not at all.

"Have you always thought that way about me?" Aerith asked, her green eyes glowing. "I'd like to know."

Leon stared at the cup in his hands and nodded silently. He hoped that his feelings for her weren't showing. But if she were to find out without him exactly telling her, he wouldn't mind. So long as she knew and accepted it, everything would be alright for him. Or was that just a thought to ease him? There was an unusual pause, then Leon felt Aerith's gentle hand on his own, and he looked up. This was one of the few times they've ever gotten into physical contact, and each time they did he always felt warm.

"Are you alright?" she asked. Again, her voice radiated worry and sadness. Leon didn't want that. She looked best when smiling. Feeling an urge to burst out, Leon tried to resist and remain calm on the surface. But having such an opportunity like this was such a waste! He could just tell her now and get it over with, so long as he doesn't make a fool of himself, it wouldn't matter. At this moment, he just wanted her to know so badly… even if it does hurt Cloud.

"Aerith…" Leon muttered, trying to control his voice volume.

"Yes?" She had no idea what was going on in Leon's mind and responded normally. Could this girl really return his feelings…? Leon didn't know either, but he was willing to take his chances. He mumbled, but said it loud enough so she could hear, "I have something I want to tell you… and something I want you to know…"

He kept pausing, but Aerith patiently waited, her warm hand still atop his. He made himself look at her but felt it was even more arduous to speak. "I-It's difficult to say, but…" he stammered. "I-" His words were cut short by sudden shouting and screams from outside. Alarmed, Leon felt his senses snap out of the sweet moment. When he looked around the room, he saw Aerith already looking out a window at the streets. Trying not to let his memory of just seconds ago bother him, Leon dashed by her side and looked outside. A number of Nobodies were ravaging the streets again.

"Aerith, you stay here!" Leon said, grabbing his gunblade that he left at the front door. "I'll go on and rid of the Nobodies."

"I have to help too!" Aerith followed him to the door, but he shook his head. "It's too dangerous." He blocked the door with his massive form. "I don't want you to get hurt."

She gave him a desperate look. "I'm needed out there!"

"I'm not going to risk your safety." Leon turned around to leave, but her small hand grabbed his arm to stop him. Her voice spoke, "By keeping me here, you will be risking many others' safety. Is that what you want?" Leon said nothing, his back still facing her.

"I can help. And I'm sure I'm much safer with everyone else than by myself." Aerith waited for Leon to respond. He was probably reconsidering his decision after hearing the truth she said. It almost seemed he stayed firm to his thoughts as he turned the knob of the door, but then he took Aerith's hand in his and said succinctly, "Keep close." He thrust the door open, and right away they were greeted by hoards of Nobodies. Slashing through without ever letting go of Aerith's hand even once, Leon made their way towards Merlin's house.

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"Aerith! Leon!" cried Yuffie when the two burst into Merlin's house. "You're alright!"

Leon walked over to Cid who was typing away madly at the keyboard. It had been a while since Leon had seen Cid, but this wasn't the time for pleasantries. "How are the defense systems working?" Leon asked, looking at the computer screen. Cid grunted and said irritably, "They're working fine, but I don't think it's enough to get rid of them Nobodies! There's an awful lot of 'em today!"

"Cloud and Tifa are out fighting the Nobodies." Yuffie said, looking like she wanted to go fight too. "You should hurry up and join them! Aerith and I will go and help out the citizens." Leon took hold of the hilt of his gunblade. "This is getting to be a tedious business." He muttered. Before leaving, he glanced Aerith a worried look and said, "Be careful." Then disappeared in the crowd of Nobodies.

Although the Nobodies dissipated quickly at each swing of Leon's gunblade, their numbers appeared to be growing rather than ceasing. When Leon reached the borough, he saw Tifa already fighting off the Nobodies with her skilled martial arts. Unlike Leon, she didn't depend on weapons to fend off enemies except for her own physical body, which allowed her to move freely and flexibly.

"I can handle it from here." Leon said, slashing down a Nobody. "You can go back and help out anyone who's in trouble."

"Are you sure about that?" Tifa asked, dodging a Nobody that flew at her.

"Yeah." Replied Leon, easily taking out a group of Nobodies trapped in a corner.

"If you say so." Tifa ran for the entrance, kicking and punching anything that got in her way. Suddenly, a much bigger and stronger Nobody appeared before her, and she stopped in her tracks. Sensing that it was getting ready to attack, she quickly rolled to the side just when the Nobody thrust its large figure across the borough towards Leon. Leon managed to dodge the attack by jumping over it. Trying to lay a blow on the huge Nobody that still lay on the ground, Leon readied his sword and ran towards it yelling out a battle cry. Tifa followed right behind him ready to support. But just before Leon could slam his gunblade down hard on the Nobody, he abruptly came to a stop and had to block the Nobody's sudden attacks from its left arm. Swinging its arm wildly, it knocked Leon aside leaving Tifa wide open. Quickly changing to her defensive stance, Tifa covered her face with her arms just when the Nobody swung at her throwing her hard against the wall.

"Tifa!" Leon yelled over the loud noise. But his voice failed to reach her. She was unconscious. He stood and tried to regain his fighting stance but was pushed down by a swarm of Nobodies. Growing frustrated, he madly swung his gunblade and got back on his feet and ran towards the huge Nobody. It seemed that the Nobody they faced was the leader, and the only way to get rid of the others was to get rid of this one. Suddenly the Nobody turned its back on him and disappeared, along with the rest of the Nobodies. A bit puzzled by what just occurred, Leon took a look outside. There were still Nobodies prowling the streets outside, but it seemed that some have disappeared in certain areas.

Running to Tifa's side, Leon made sure she wasn't badly hurt. She seemed to have had a couple of scratches from where the Nobody hit her, but there was nothing serious. Then he heard someone run in and he looked up. It was Cloud.

"Tifa!" Cloud ran towards them and quickly went to Tifa's side. Taking her in his arms, he made sure she was alright. Leon watched him quietly. Although Cloud loved Aerith, there was no doubt that he also cared for Tifa even though he may not have loved her the way she loved him. "She was attacked by a Nobody." Leon explained. "I couldn't protect her…" He felt helpless that he had let a friend get hurt. And a feeling like that was enough to make one feel powerless against anything.

As if things just couldn't get worse, Yuffie ran in, looking worried and almost on the verge of tears. Although he didn't think he'd like the answer, Leon asked quickly, "Where's Aerith?"

"We were helping everyone find safety, but then some Nobodies showed up and we got separated!" Yuffie exclaimed. "I can't find her!" Leon felt himself panic, but tried to keep calm and stood. "Where was she last?" he asked. Yuffie started for the exit. "Follow me!" she said. Unlike many other events, Yuffie was serious and ready for action. It was times like this that it showed how much she had grown over the past few years they've known each other.

Before leaving, Leon and Cloud exchanged glances. "…Bring her back safely." Cloud said quietly, still holding Tifa in his arms. "Hurry!" Yuffie yelled. Reluctantly, Leon left the borough and followed Yuffie. He didn't know why Cloud had looked so sullen when he spoke.

Following Yuffie through Hallow Baston, she led him to the bailey. Leon recalled seeing Nobodies in the area when he was at the borough, but now, it seemed that the Nobodies had suddenly disappeared and retreated. Yuffie seemed surprised too. "…I have a bad feeling." She said, keeping close to Leon. A little ways ahead of them, the giant Nobody from before appeared. Its long white torso floated above the ground. It had no legs, but certainly had arms and a head. Now that they were outside, the Nobody looked larger than it seemed from when in the borough.

Leon was about to lay an attack on the Nobody, but then noticed an unconscious Aerith from what seemed to be a few yards away behind it. "Aerith!" he and Yuffie called. Leon ran towards her but stopped abruptly when the Nobody blocked the way with its arm. "Outta the way!" Yuffie yelled angrily, throwing her darts at it. However, they seemed to cause no pain whatsoever to it. Leon slashed downward on the Nobody's arm only to swipe thin air when it swiftly moved aside. With its ability to float above them, Leon and Yuffie had no way of getting to it. Once its arms moved close to attack, they both jumped on them and ran their way up towards the head.

Hacking and slashing away, they were able to deal quite a lot of damage before it shook them off. "Ugh, no pain no game, right?" Yuffie said when they were back on the ground. "This is gonna take a while."

"Yuffie." Leon said, seeming to have thought of a plan. She stared at him a bit confused, looked up at the Nobody that was high above them, then caught on to his plan. "Oh, I see!" She ran towards him as quickly as possible. Once she drew near Leon, she kicked herself off the ground and with a boost from Leon, she was up in the air as high as the Nobody. Landing on its hand, she pulled her giant shuriken out and ran up its arm towards the head.

"Here goes nothing!" With all her might, she jabbed the shuriken into the black triangle on its forehead. The Nobody wriggled in pain, and Yuffie fell off by its unbalance. Barely landing on her feet, Yuffie and Leon stared up at the Nobody. After a few seconds of agony, the Nobody along with all the others were relinquished. From where it disappeared, Yuffie's shuriken fell to the ground with a clang.